Plant viral satellites fall under the category of subviral agents. Their genomes are composed of small RNA or DNA molecules a few hundred nucleotides in length and contain an assortment of highly complex and overlapping functions. Each lacks the ability to either replicate or undergo encapsidation or both in the absence of a helper virus (HV). As the number of known satellites increases steadily, our knowledge regarding their sequence conservation strategies, means of replication and specific interactions with host and helper viruses is improving. This review demonstrates that the molecular interactions of these satellites are unique and highly complex, largely influenced by the highly specific host plants and helper viruses that they associate with. Circularized forms of single-stranded RNA are of particular interest, as they have recently been found to play a variety of novel cellular functions. Linear forms of satRNA are also of great significance as they may complement the helper virus genome in exacerbating symptoms, or in certain instances, actively compete against it, thus reducing symptom severity. This review serves to describe the current literature with respect to these molecular mechanisms in detail as well as to discuss recent insights into this emerging field in terms of evolution, classification and symptom development. The review concludes with a discussion of future steps in plant viral satellite research and development.

植物病毒卫星属于亚病毒剂的范畴。它们的基因组由长度为几百个核苷酸的小 RNA 或 DNA 分子组成，并包含各种高度复杂和重叠的功能。在没有辅助病毒 (HV) 的情况下，每个都缺乏复制或进行衣壳化的能力，或两者兼而有之。随着已知卫星的数量稳步增加，我们对它们的序列保护策略、复制方式以及与宿主和辅助病毒的特定相互作用的了解正在提高。这篇综述表明，这些卫星的分子相互作用是独特且高度复杂的，主要受高度特异性宿主植物和与其相关的辅助病毒的影响。单链 RNA 的环状形式特别令人感兴趣，因为它们最近被发现具有多种新的细胞功能。线性形式的 satRNA 也具有重要意义，因为它们可以补充辅助病毒基因组以加剧症状，或者在某些情况下，积极与之竞争，从而降低症状的严重程度。本综述旨在详细描述有关这些分子机制的当前文献，并讨论对这一新兴领域在进化、分类和症状发展方面的最新见解。综述最后讨论了植物病毒卫星研究和开发的未来步骤。积极对抗它，从而减轻症状的严重程度。本综述旨在详细描述有关这些分子机制的当前文献，并讨论对这一新兴领域在进化、分类和症状发展方面的最新见解。综述最后讨论了植物病毒卫星研究和开发的未来步骤。积极对抗它，从而减轻症状的严重程度。本综述旨在详细描述有关这些分子机制的当前文献，并讨论对这一新兴领域在进化、分类和症状发展方面的最新见解。综述最后讨论了植物病毒卫星研究和开发的未来步骤。